Air Compressor for air brushing question

[Cliff]

Is it neccessary to have one of the air compressors that they sell specifically for air brushes or can you us a small regular ol air compressor?  I'm looking at getting an air brush and alread have a small craftsman air compressor was thinking I could adapt it for painting my deeks.  As I have never used an air brush, looking for advice.  Thanks for the help.

Cliff

[LEE]

I wasn't happy with having to spend the money to get a compressor just for air brushing. I wanted something that I could use for everything I needed it for. I can't remember the size of mine but it will run impact wrenches. If I recall correctly it came with the regulator and I think I added a moisture trap to it. It might have even come with the moisture trap. That's been many moons ago.
I don't even use my airbrush any more. Since I learned how to paint with a brush better that's all I ever do.

[MattD]

I've got a little two gallon and it does fine.

[DON MINTZ]

It doesn't matter and in fact I prefer a regular shop compressor with a good sized air tank on it.  I ran one with a 25 gallon tank for years and now have an upright 12 gallon to save a little space.  The old airbrush compressor I started out with ran all the time and I just got tired of the constant noise.  The big shop compressor only runs for about 45 seconds three or four times an hour with an airbrush.  I have a manifold I made out of several pipe connections so I can have a regular shop hose available with 80 lbs of pressure and a hose with 35 lbs of pressure for the airbrush.  I just had to get one extra regulator between the airbrush and the manifold.

[Steve W]

Ive got 2 of the little compressors at school..I don't like them much for the pulsing and noise...

[Willy McDonald]

A shop compressor will work just fine. I have one wth a two gallon tank that will fill my tires, run my air tools and also my airbrush. If you don't like having the noise jolt you while you are concentrating on paining take it off auto and it will only come on when the tank is empty. That way you can fill when you need to. I also have an "on demand" compressor by Badger that I love for shows and class as it only comes on when I push the trigger on the AB. It is quiet also and that is a plus. Basically an air source is an air source.....even a refill tank works just fine providing it has a regulator to provide the proper pressure. Stay away from propel cans of air.......expensive and used up quickly. Maybe good for model airplanes but lousy for ducks.

Willy

[Cliff]

Thanks for the help guys.  It's nice having a bunch of folks that have experience in something one is just starting out in, to get help from.  Hope to start air brush practice soon.

Cliff